Belgrade, Montana

Belgrade is a city in Gallatin County, Montana, United States. The population was 10,460 at the 2020 census, and was estimated to be 12,509 in 2023.

History

The original townsite of Belgrade was established in 1883 when the Northern Pacific Railroad was constructed through the Gallatin Valley. The original town plat was filed in the Gallatin County Clerk and Recorder's Office by Thomas B. Quaw, a businessman from the midwest, in July 1891. According to Quaw, the townsite was an unmanned railroad siding 9.7 miles west of Bozeman, and was named Belgrade after the capital of Serbia, as an expression of appreciation to the Serbian investors who helped finance a portion of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Quaw and William O. Tracy created the Belgrade Grain and Produce Company and marketed Belgrade as the "Princess of the Prairies."

The post office was established in 1887 with Quaw as postmaster. Belgrade was incorporated in 1906.

Geography

left|thumb|The [[Bridger Mountains (Montana)|Bridger Mountains just outside Belgrade]]

Belgrade is located at (45.7802541, -111.1752267).

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<br>2020 Census

! Pop. 2010

! % 2000

! % 2010

| White alone (NH)

| 5,473

| 6,824

| style='background: #ffffe6; |8,873

| 95.55%

| 92.35%

| style='background: #ffffe6; |84.83%

| Black or African American alone (NH)

| 5

| 22

| style='background: #ffffe6; |43

| 0.09%

| 0.30%

| style='background: #ffffe6; |0.41%

| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)

| 58

| 70

| style='background: #ffffe6; |96

| 1.01%

| 0.95%

| style='background: #ffffe6; |0.92%

| Asian alone (NH)

| 17

| 39

| style='background: #ffffe6; |68

| 0.30%

| 0.53%

| style='background: #ffffe6; |0.65%

| Pacific Islander alone (NH)

| 4

| 9

| style='background: #ffffe6; |9

| 0.07%

| 0.12%

| style='background: #ffffe6; |0.09%

| Other race alone (NH)

| 2

| style='background: #ffffe6; |55

| 0.03%

| style='background: #ffffe6; |0.53%

| Mixed race or multiracial (NH)

| 58

| 145

| style='background: #ffffe6; |543

| 1.01%

| 1.96%

| style='background: #ffffe6; |5.19%

| Hispanic or Latino (any race)

| 111

| 278

| style='background: #ffffe6; |773

| 1.94%

| 3.76%

| style='background: #ffffe6; |7.39%

| Total

| 5,728

| 7,389

| style='background: #ffffe6; |10,460

| 100.00%

| style='background: #ffffe6; |100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Belgrade had a population of 10,460. The median age was 32.1 years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 8.6% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 107.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 108.5 males age 18 and over.

99.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.4% lived in rural areas.

There were 4,102 households in the city, including 2,649 families. Of all households, 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 48.1% were married-couple households, 21.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 19.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 4,339 housing units; 5.5% were vacant, with a homeowner vacancy rate of 2.8% and a rental vacancy rate of 4.3%. The population density was , and the housing unit density was . Xtant Medical designs, manufactures and distributes medical devices and human tissues for transplant.

CACI International is a major employer. The electronic warfare company purchased Belgrade based Ascent Vision Technology in 2020. They continue to be one of the largest employers in Belgrade.

Given the short distance to Bozeman, many residents commute for employment.

Government

Belgrade is governed via the mayor council system. The city council consists of six members who are elected from one of three wards. Michael Meis, the deputy mayor, was unopposed in the 2025 mayoral election. The Belgrade elementary and high school districts are part of Belgrade Public Schools.

Belgrade School District educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Belgrade High School's team name is the Panthers.

Arts and culture

left|thumb|The Belgrade Special Events Center The Belgrade Special Events Center is a 4,800-seat indoor facility constructed by the Belgrade School District in 1996. The building is used for school and community events. In March 2010 the facility hosted the State B Girls Basketball Tournament.

The Gallatin Speedway is located on the outskirts of Belgrade. The dirt oval track hosts stock car racing events from May to September.

The Belgrade Fall Festival is an annual tradition that takes place on Homecoming Weekend, typically the third weekend in September. The day's activities include a parade, community open-pit beef barbecue, car show, arts and crafts fair at Lewis and Clark Park, and the Belgrade High School Panthers varsity football game.

Belgrade has a public library, the Belgrade Community Library.

Media

The Belgrade News is a newspaper available either by print or online. It is published twice weekly.

Radio stations licensed in Belgrade are KCMM and KISN. They are also served by the wider Bozeman area.

Infrastructure

Belgrade is located along Interstate 90. Montana Highway 85 enters town from the south.

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is located adjacent to the city boundaries.

Bozeman Health operates a Belgrade clinic. It provides primary care as well as physical therapy and laboratory services. BestMed Urgent Care delivers urgent care services. They also administer vaccinations and immunizations and have some medications on-site.

Notable people

Steve Daines, U.S. senator; former U.S. congressman
Gene Quaw (1891–1968), musician
Philip Winchester, Actor

References

External links

City of Belgrade – official website
Belgrade Chamber of Commerce